Listen

The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.”

Luke 10:41

Think

I always found it peculiar when Jesus accuses Martha of being distracted. If anything, Martha may not be distracted enough. Instead, she is too focused on getting the chores done and being the perfect host. While according to Martha, Mary is the distracted one. Reminds me of the Pixar movie, Up, where Carl Fredrickson is determined to move his house to Paradise Falls but gets distracted along the way by a tag-along wilderness explorer, Russell, Dug the dog, and Kevin the flightless bird.

At one point, Carl is forced to choose between his distractors and his personal mission. Carl realizes that his own mission was a distraction from what really mattered, which were those who accompanied him on the journey. Martha’s focus on serving her guests has distracted her from what really matters – Jesus. While hospitality is important, it shouldn’t be done without understanding why and who it is that calls us to do the work.

Sometimes, distraction can actually lead us to understanding what is really important and missing in our lives.

Theresa Cho

Pray

God of hospitality, sometimes distraction is not a bad thing. When I am distracted, I find myself open to new possibilities and opportunities to welcome new understandings, perspectives, and experiences. May my eyes, ears, and heart be open to where you lead me. Amen.

Go

Rest in the assurance that you are God’s own

Carry and share the load of others and let them carry yours

Look up and around you to where God is pointing

Celebrate that you are loved just as you are